Benfica make flurry of moves at deadline

Benfica made a flurry of moves during the final day of the summer transfer window for most of Europe's big leagues as they look to snap a dry spell in hardware this season.

Benfica announced the acquisition of winger Julian Draxler from PSG who will join the club on a season long loan for €2.5M, PSG will pay 80% of Draxler's salary and the loan does not include a buy option.

Benfica also acquired center back John Brooks on a free transfer, signing the 29 year old American for one season, the move helps shore up the middle of the defense, that thanks to injuries and departures had become rather thin. Brooks spent the past five season with Stuttgart in Germany.

Benfica sent midfielders Julian Weigl and Soualiho Meite out on loan for the season to Borussia Moenchengladbach and Cremonese, both midfielders loans include buy options, Weigl's option is for €15M and Meite's option has yet to be disclosed.

In an unexpected move, Fulham acquired striker Carlos Vinicius from Benfica for €5M, Vinicius was going into the second year of his loan at PSV which ended after the English club's move. Benfica will retain 50% of Vinicius' pass.

Benfica and center back Jan Vertonghen agreed to rescind the players contract, saving the club €3M on the final year of the deal. Vertonghen is already in Brussels and is set to sign with Anderlecht. Benfica did not stop there as the club and Adel Taarabt also mutually agreed to rescind the midfielders contract.

In a move that went under the radar, Benfica acquired center back Ricardo Teixeira from Leixoes for €300K, which gives the club 50% of the 21 year old's pass.

In an almost was move, current number one keeper Vlachodimos was set to join Ajax before the deal was halted at the final moments. Benfica were rumoured to have had a loan move set for PSG keeper Kaylor Navas as the replacement before the deal fell through.

Benfica sell Yaremchuk to Club Brugge

Benfica and Belgian side Club Brugge have come to terms on the sale of striker Roman Yaremchuk which will see the 26 year old Ukrainian International return back to Belgium after just one season with the Lisbon club. Benfica will receive €16M from Brugge with an additional €3M in potential incentives and will be entitled to 10% of any future sale.

Benfica obtained Yaremchuk last summer from Gent for €17M but this only gave the club only 75% of Yaremchuk's pass, Benfica acquired the remaining 25% from Gent earlier for €3M before the sale to Brugge. Yaremchuk appeared in 48 games across all competitions last season for Benfica, mostly as a substitute off the bench and scored nine goals while setting up eight. 

Yaremchuk's departure helps unlock a log jam at the striker position at the club and means that Benfica will hang onto striker Goncalo Ramos, who has become a regular fixture in Roger Schmidt's starting XI this season.

Benfica looking at Frankfurt midfielder

Benfica still have a few moves to play before the transfer window closes for most of the major markets later this week and the latest player that the club is linked to is Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada according to reports coming from Portugal and Germany. The 26 year old Japanese international can play a host of positions and would fit nicely in Roger Schmidt's system of choice.

Frankfurt are said to want between €10M to €15M for Kamada who's contract will expire at the end of the current campaign. Kamada joined Frankfury in the summer of 2017 and has appeared in 136 games across all competitions for the German side, scoring 28 goals while setting up an additional 27. Kamada was a key piece in Frankfurt's Europa League Championship run last season.